A day after a 20-year-old computer instructor was gangraped by labourers who waylaid her, another rape was reported from Rangpuri in Mahipalpur on Tuesday evening — this time, a 28-year-old graduate who was appearing for a job interview. The alleged rapist, who runs a plastic fibre manufacturing unit, drugged the girl’s refreshments and fled after raping her.
Police have arrested the accused, Ramesh Verma (35), a resident of Vasant Kunj, after medical examination of the woman confirmed rape. But while the police said Verma was the only accused, the girl’s family alleged that more people were involved and that it was a gangrape.
Police said the victim, who lives in Pitampura, got Verma’s reference a few days ago from a co-passenger on a train journey. The victim’s husband, a salesman with a water purifier company, was not earning much and on Monday, she contacted Verma as she urgently needed a job to support the family. Verma asked her to come to his office in Mahipalpur for an interview.
According to Times News Network, the victim reached Verma’s office around 12 noon and was told to meet him in his private chamber, police said.
``After a few questions, Verma tried to comfort the girl by saying that she would get a job as she deserved it. He then offered the victim tea and biscuits. She fell unconscious after consuming the biscuits,’’ said an investigating officer.
Verma then allegedly raped her and fled from the spot. The woman regained consciousness a few hours later and called the police control room around 4pm.
“The police sent her for a medical examination at the Safdarjung Hospital where rape was confirmed,’’ said a senior police officer.
Verma’s reference was given to the victim in good faith, police said. ``Our investigations have revealed that only Verma was involved in the incident. However, we are investigating if anyone else helped him in the crime,’’ said an officer from the Vasant Kunj police station where a case of rape has been registered.
“We are also investigating if the accused had misbehaved with any other woman at the workplace before,’’ added the investigating officer.
Drawing a parallel with Monday’s gangrape, police said in both cases, ``complete strangers’’ were involved in the crime. ``We are now asking our counsellors at the Crime Against Women Cell to sensitize women more. We will also hold special self-defence camps at schools and colleges soon,’’ said a crime branch official at the police headquarters.